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Why Do Youth Run Away?

Cheryl Pooler, DSW, LCSW

April 1, 2023

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Question

Why do youth run away?

Answer

Youth tend to run away for lots of reasons and one of the big ones is abuse, whether it is physical, emotional, or sexual. If there is a lot of family trouble or domestic violence, problems with school bullying or friends; a youth may feel desperate and decide their life is going to be better on the street than in the home with their family. 

Regarding sexual abuse among youth runaways, HHS reports that 21% to 40% of homeless youth have been sexually abused compared to 1% to 3% of the general youth population.

Research also tells us that about 80% of homeless youth age 12 to 21 use drugs or alcohol as a means to self-medicate, because they are trying to cope with the traumatic experiences that they face. 40% of this population of homeless teens identify as LGBT+, and for many of them, family rejection is the reason why they are on the street. So, they did not choose to leave their home or run away. They were forced to leave or locked out of the house. Over 50% of LGBT+ youth in shelters and on the streets report that their parents told them to leave.

 

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the webinar,  Youth Experiencing Homelessness and Human Trafficking: Use of Motivational Interviewing as a Technique for Engagement, presented by Cheryl Pooler, DSW, LCSW


cheryl pooler

Cheryl Pooler, DSW, LCSW

Dr. Pooler is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with over twenty years of experience in community mental health as a therapist and psychosocial rehabilitation specialist for adults with serious and persistent mental illness. In 2009, she accepted a social work position with Waco Independent School district in the Homeless Outreach Department. Dr. Pooler currently serves as faculty at the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University. Her research interest includes adoption, homeless youth, and human trafficking. Dr. Pooler is an advocate for homeless families and youth in the Waco community and is the founder of The Cove, a teen nurturing center for homeless youth.


Related Courses

Youth Experiencing Homelessness and Human Trafficking: Use of Motivational Interviewing to Move Beyond Engagement
Presented by Cheryl Pooler, DSW, LCSW
Video

Presenter

Cheryl Pooler, DSW, LCSW
Course: #1975Level: Intermediate1.08 Hours
  'Instructors caring nature shone through and was delightful'   Read Reviews
Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based clinical approach focusing on change. This webinar explores the use of MI with homeless/foster youth who have been trafficked and how to move beyond engagement effectively.

Homeless Youth: Understanding the Needs and Rights of Homeless Youth and the Role of Social Work in Ending Youth Homelessness
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  'Knowledge & experience of presenter'   Read Reviews
This course provides a historical overview of youth homelessness, and explores the needs and rights of today’s homeless youth. Practitioners are introduced to best practices as it relates working with homeless youth and social work’s role in ending youth homelessness.

School Social Work: Creating a Trauma Informed School
Presented by Cheryl Pooler, DSW, LCSW, Carolyn Cole, MSW
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Course: #1394Level: Introductory1.57 Hours
  'I loved her style of presenting the information, she is very easy to learn from'   Read Reviews
This course equips social workers to understand their role in providing trauma-informed services within a school setting. Best-practice and evidence-based models for service are discussed.

Youth Experiencing Homelessness and Human Trafficking: Use of Motivational Interviewing as a Technique for Engagement
Presented by Cheryl Pooler, DSW, LCSW
Video

Presenter

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Course: #1758Level: Intermediate1.03 Hours
  'I enjoy the way she presents the information and how she provides clear examples throughout'   Read Reviews
Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidenced based clinical approach that focuses on change. This webinar explores the use of MI with homeless/foster youth who have been trafficked. This course is Part 1 of a two-part series. Part 2 of this series is course #1975.

Social Workers' Role in Supporting Homeless Youth Podcast
Presented by Benjamin T. Bencomo, DSW, LISW, LCSW, Cheryl Pooler, DSW, LCSW
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Course: #1526Level: Intermediate1.05 Hours
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Social workers working with youth and families will undoubtedly encounter youth who are experiencing homelessness. This podcast explores youth homelessness and the role of social workers in supporting homeless youth. This is part of the Continued Learning Podcast series.

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